Shawbrook merges commercial and secured divisions

The property finance business will operate alongside the challenger banks’ consumer and business finance divisions as it looks to simplify Shawbrook to its stakeholders.

In April, Shawbrook’s commercial lending team announced a record-breaking day of business, while it also launched its new digital application service E-AIP.

The move will see Karen Bennett, former Sales & Marketing Director of Commercial Mortgages, become managing director of commercial mortgages with Maeve Ward moving to managing director of residential mortgages.

The previous commercial mortgages team will continue to serve the specialist buy-to-let, short-term loan and commercial mortgages sectors, and Karen will retain responsibility for product, distribution and sales teams alongside overall strategy within her respective market.

“We have experienced a great deal of success over the past five years and I look forward to the next step in our evolution as the Shawbrook Bank Property Finance division,” Karen stated.

“Brokers lie at the heart of our business and the prospect of continuing to build a business around our principles of personal relationships, great service and a desire to constantly improve is hugely exciting for this group.” 

Stephen Johnson, Deputy CEO of Shawbrook, will head up the property finance division, while Philip George will develop new opportunities for the bank as the new team looks to play an important role in delivering the bank’s ambition.

“It is my privilege to work with such a committed and passionate group of people and we look forward with great enthusiasm to continuing to serve our customers and business partners,” Stephen stated.

“We absolutely acknowledge that our business partners operate in markets, notwithstanding last [month’s] historic vote, where there are a wide range of lenders to choose from.

“At Shawbrook, we are driven by the philosophy of building long-term relationships with our business partners and working with them to deliver a great and sustainable service to their customers.

“This approach has served us well and our vision for property finance retains its unwavering commitment to the intermediary market.”